Muzzle attachment for automatic guns.



No. 870,497. PATBNTED Nov.l 5, 1967. A. T. DAWsoNf'AE J. RAMsAY. MUZZLB ATTACHMENT POB. AUTOMATIC GUNS.

APPLIUATIO'FILBD MAB.. 15, 1905.

2 sHEETslsBnT 1.

fweier/ PATENTED NOV. 5, 1907. A. T. DAWSON & J. RAMSAY. MUZZLE ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMATIC GUNS.

APELIOATION FILED MAB.. 15, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l Zmfi DNrrnD estaras PATENT onirica.

ENGLAND.

ARTHUR TREVoRDAwsoN AND JAMES'RAMSAY, .oF WEsTMINsTER, LONDON, ENGLAND, AssIGNons A To vIoKERs soNs a MAxlM,

LIMITED, OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON,

MUZZLE ATTACm'IEANT FOR AUTOMATIC GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application med March 15.1905. serial No. 250.284..

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that ARTHUR TREvon DAWSON, lieutenant of the Royal Navy, director and superintendent of ordnance works, and JAMES RAMSAY, engineer, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at 32 Victoria street, Westminster, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Muzzlc-.Attachments for Automatic Guns, of which the following is a specification.

Our improvements relate to apparatus for attachment to the muzzle of a Maxim or otherautomatic `gun for enabling the gases of discharge to actuate. or assist in actuating the breech-mechanism.

The said improvements are particularly adv antageous for a gun with a recoiling barrel that slides to and fro in a water jacket. 4 I

Automatic guns in which the action of the breech mechanism has been effected or assisted by apparatus at the muzzle are already well-known; This apparatus as commonly arranged is characterized by a fixed part or disk which is carried by a radially perforated sleeve connected with the front end cap of thewater jacket and which is locatedin front of the muzzle with a hole for the projectile to pass through, in combination Wi th a disk shaped part or piece fixed on the end of the barrel. The gas escaping from the muzzle at each discharge ot' the gun enters the gas space existing between said disks and exerts pressure between the said front part or sleeve-disk and the barrel-disk and thus assists the barrel in the recoil movement required for energizing the recoil spring and actuating the breech mechanism. A gland and stuing box are provided for making a water tight joint where the barrel slides i'n the said end cap of the water jacket. -In muzzle attachments of this kind the gases are not able to'freely escape radially outward from the gas space between the two disks until after the barrel has recoiled a considerable distance whereupon they escape from the sleeve into the atmosphere mostly through the hole in the front part or sleeve disk. With such attachments after the gun has been firing for some time considerable carbonaceous deposit or fouling occurs in the neighborhood of the barrel where the latter slides in the stufling box, with the result that theV sliding motion of the barrel becomes so much impeded that it fails to properly actuate the breech mechanism and the gun ceases ring.

lt is the chief bject of the present'invention` to overl come" this fouling by providing abundant freedom for the escape of the gases from the gas space between the disks and also from the sleeve otherwise than throughthe aforesaidv hole in the front part or sleeve-disk and by utilizing the kinetic energy of the gases rather than their expansivezforce for actuating the barrel-disk. This object is attained by making the sleeve with large radial openings and little metal between conthe end-cap or the stuffing box gland of the waterjaeket by rods, pillars or distance pieces, so as to offer/ as slight impediment to the radial escape of the gases as practicable. Also by making the sleeve-disk and the barrel-disk-of a suitable conformation to insure that the gases shall be able to at once commence escaping radially outward from the gas space between the diskswhen the gases enter the said space from thel barrel and shall be effectually deflected from the sleeve-disk on to the barrel-disk, so as to utilize their kinetic energy tothe bestadvantage for assisting in the recoil movement of the barrel. The said sleeve disk is also advantageously made with a beveled or chamfered periphery for enabling the gases to escape from the attachment in a forward direction for the purpose of avoiding as far as possible the liability of their blowing back into the face of the gunner.

We also providethe attachment with means for securing it and the barrel-disk in their respective places, so that they'can be readily removed and replaced at any time; v

vIn order thatour said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect we will describe the same more fully with reference to. the accompanying drawings in which i Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the muzzle end of an automatic rifle caliber gun, provided with one form of the improved muzzle attachment. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section of the sleeve employed in this arrangement, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section thereof on thel li'ne l. l. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a similar muzzle attachment providedwith a different mode of connecting the sleeve in place. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 6 is a front end elevation of the water jacket end-cap. Fig. 7 is a side elevation and Fig. 8 a longitudinal-section of the sleeve. Fig. 9 is a cross-section of the sleeve on the line 2. 2.- Fig. l0 is a development ofthe interior cylindrical surface of the socket of the aforesaid water jacket end-cap. Fig. ll is a longitudinal section of a modification of the muzzle attachment in which the sleeve is dispensed with. Fig. l2 is a cross section on the line 3. 3. l,

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 10. A is the barrel and A theibarrel-disk mounted thereon. B is the radially perforated sleeve and B the front part or sleeve-disk thereof, upon which and the said vbarreli disk, the kinetic energy of the powder gases is exerted and the recoil movements of the barrel are thereby obtained or augmented at each discharge of the gun. C is the front cap of the water-jacket C having on it the stuffing box-or bearing c and gland c through which the kbarrel slides in its to and fro movements. The said powder gases.

sleeve B is connected either to this'gland or to the endcap of the water-jacket as hereinafter explained.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 the muzzle end ot the barrel A has the disk A attached to it by a screw-clamp a. The gland c of the stuiiing box c which forms part of the front cap C is enlarged outside the stutling box and has the sleeve B secured to it'by means of a kind of bayonet joint consisting of a series of segmental fillets or lugs b on the' sleeve arranged to interlock with similar illets or lugs CX on the front cap when the sleeve is angularly turned, the said sleeve being made fast when properly locked to the aforesaid front cap by a spring split pin c2 engaging with holes in the said sleeve and enlarged gland that coincide by the angular movementof thesleeve. The sleeve B surrounds the said front disk B and the space around/the barrel disk A and said sleeve is formed with the large radial apertures or perforations b or'the escape oithe ward and rear portions of the said sleeve are V-shaped or beveled and of small width as shown at Fig. 3, so that they present the smallest possible surface for the deposit and accumulation of the residue oi Ythe powder gases inside the sleeve and also offer little impediment to the escape ol the gases from the latter. The front disk 'B has the part surrounding its central apertureb cupped or made concave as shown at b2, andthe barreldisk A is of cup-shape thus forming a gas space between them. These two disks lie quite close to each other when the barrel is in its fully advanced position but their relative position is such that they do not pre- ,vent the gas from immediately escaping radially outward from the gas space between the disks when said gas enters the gas space from the barrel. The gas in enteringl the gas space imping'es upon the cup-shaped surface b2 of the disk B 'and is thereby deflected rearwardly against the cup-shaped barrel disk A', thus forcing the barrel to the rear after each discharge; the forward 0r return movement of the barrel being provided for by the ordinary recoil spring or in4 any other usual or convenient manner. The periphery of the Yfront disk B 'is beveled'at b2 so that the gases escaping' through the apertures b after striking the barrel-disk will be directed forwardly as. aforesaid. l

In the arrangement shown in'Figs. 4 to 10; instead of locking the sleeve B and the gland c together by'A means of a kind of bayonet joint, .we provide the iront cap C with the socket c4 having internal interrupted screw threads ci and we provide the. exterior of the sleeve B with corresponding interrupted screw threads b2, thereby enabling the said parts to be locked and unlocked as in the case of'a breech screw. The screw threads may be of any usual formation 'L'. e., either square or angular and of any convenient pitch and there may be as many threads as willbe consistent with the required strength and security of the apparatus, but the chief peculiarity of this mode of attachment of our device is the employment in combination with the ordinary threads of a single separate thread cs between the series of the interrupted threads on the aiorcsaid'socket c* as best seen in the developed view (Fig. 10). These single threads serve as a guide and stop in uniting the two parts. That is to say we arrange the said single thread in such a position on the one part that when the end of the other part, in being interlocked therewith,

The bars of metal which unite the for cornes into Contact with the said single thread, it will be certainly in the correct position to be turned about its axis to lock the threads of the two parts together. As hereinbeore described the sleeve B and front cap socket c1 when properly locked together can be secured by a spring split pin passed through coinciding holes in the two parts. yThe formation and arrangement of the barrel-disk A and the front disk B are similarto those set iorth in connection with Figs. 1 to 3.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12, we detachably secure the front disk BA to the flange c3 of the stuffing b'ox or gland by a plate D and small rods pillars or distance pieces D instead of using the sleeve or'the support of the iront disk as in the'apparatus shown in the preceding figures, this arrangement providing for readier escape of the powder gases after their action on the disks A B and also obviating the necessity ot displacing any other parts of the attachment when it is desired to remove the said disk and barrel. The said small rods D are arranged diametrically opposite each other so as to give ample space for the removal and replacement oi the barrel disk and front disk. When it becomes necessary or desirable to remove the said front What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

l. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the'lbarrel, of a disk movable therewith, an imperforated annular stationary disk surrounding an aperture co-axial with the barrel4 and of greater diameter than the mdvable disk,

overlapping the latter and forming therewith a gas space from which the 'powder gases are free to escape radially outward, as they enter between said disks but are prevented from'escaping axially by the overlapping of the stationary disk, and means for connecting said stationary ldisk to a non-recoiling part of the'gun and for affording a free radial escape 'of thepowder gases froin the disks to the atmosphere without resorting to apertures in the stationary portion facing said movable disk, other than the 4aforesaid co-axial aperture, for the purpose specified.

2. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel, of a disk 'movable therewith, an imperforated annular stationary front disk surrounding an aperture co-axial with the barrel and of greater diameter 'than the movable disk, overlapping the latter and forming therewith a gas space from which the powder gases are free to escape radially outward as they enter between said disks but are prevented from escaping axially by the overlapping of the stationary disk, and a plurality ot widely spaced longitudinal bars connecting said front disk with a non-recoiling part of the gun so as to afford a free radial escape of the powder gases from the disksto the atmosphere without resorting to apertures in the stationary portion facing said movable disk, other than the aforesaid co-axial aperture, for the purpose specified.

3. In -a muzzle attachment for an automatic gunha'vlng a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel, of

a disk movable therewith, an imperforated annular sta-Y stationary disk,y and a plurality of widely spaced longitu- 'ilo dinal bars of small sectional area connecting said front disk with a non-recoiling part of the gun so as to afford a free radial escape of the powder gases from the disks to the atmosphere without resorting to lapertures in the stationary portion facing said movable disk, other than the aforesaid co-axial aperture for the purpose specified.

4. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel, of a disk movable therewith, an imperforat'ed stationary front disk surrounding an aperture co-axial with the barrel and of greater diameter than the movable disk, overlapping the latter, and forming therewith a gas space from which the powder gases'are free to escape radially outward as they enter between said disks but are p'revented from escaping axially by the overlapping of the stationary disk, and a plurality of widely spaced longitu' dinal bars of small triangular section connecting said front diskLwith a non-,recoiling part of the gun and having their apexes directed 'inwardly so as to afford a free radial escape f the powder gases from the disks tothe atmosphere wit. out resorting to apertures in the stationary portion' facing said movable disk, other than the aforesaid coaxial aperture, for the purpose speciiied.

5.' In a muzzleattachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel the combination with the barrel of a concave or dished disk movable therewith, an imperforated annular stationary concave or dished front disksurrounding an aperture co-axial with the barrel and of greater diameter than the movable disk, overlapping the latter, and forming therewith a gas space from which the powder gases are free to escape radially outward' as they enter between said disks but are prevented from escaping axially by the overlapping of the stationary disk, and means for connectingsaid front disk to a non-recoiling part of the gun and for aiording a free radial escape of the powder gases from the disks to the atmosphere without resorting'toapertures in the stationary portion facing -said movable disk, other than the aforesaid co-axial aper' ture, for the purpose specied.

4 6. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with 'the barrel, of a concave or dished disk movable therewith, a station-` ary front disk having an aperture co-axial with the barrel anda concave or dished cavity surrounded by a beveled or chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, and means for connecting said front disk to-a non-recoiling part of the gun :and for aording a free radial escape of the powdergases from the disks to the atmosphere for the purpose specified.

' 7. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gunhaving a reciprocating bal'rel, the combination vwith the barrel', of

l a concave or dished disk movable therewith, a stationary 1yso front diskhaving an aperture co-axial With'the barrel and a concave or dished cavity surrounded by a beveled' orchamfered peripheral portion on its active face, and a 'plurality-of widely. spaced longitudinal bars of small triangular cross-section connecting said'front disk with a.' non-` recoiling part of the gun'and having theiriapqexes directed inwardly for the purpose specified'.`

8. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel of a concave or dished disk movable therewith, a stationary: front disk having an aperture co-axial with the barrel and a concave or dished cavity surrounded by a. beveled 'or chamferedperipheral portion on its vactive face, a sleeve -carrying sajd :front disk andsurrounding the barrel-disk and having ividel'adlal openings therein separated by nar\ rowbars, and means for detachably connecting said sleeve with a non-recolling part Yof the. gun substantially as described.

9. In a muzzleA attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel, of a concave or dished disk detachably connected therewith, a stationary front disk having an aperture co-aXial with the barrel and a concave or dished cavity surrounded by a beveled or chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, a' sleeve detachably carrying said front disk and surrounding the barrel-disk and having wide radial openings therein separated by narrow triangular-bars, and means for detachably connecting said sleeve with a non-recoiling part of the gun substantially` as described.

10. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel; the combination with the barrel, of a concave or dished disk detachably connected therewith, a stationary front disk having an aperture co-axial with the barrel and a concave or dished cavity surrounded by an outwardly beveled or chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, a sleeve detachably carrying said front disk and having wide radial openings therein separated by narrow triangular bars, and means for detachablyconnecting said sleeve with a non-recoiling part of the gun substantially as described.

l1.Y In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciproca-ting barrel; the combination with the barrel, of a concave or dished disk detachably connected therewith', a stationary front disk having an aperture co-axial with the barrel and a concave or dished cavity surrounded by a beveled or chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, a sleeve detachably carrying said front disk and having wide radial openings therein separated by narrow triangular bars, interrupted fillets on the said sleeve, and corresponding interrupted fillets on a non-recoiling part of the gun for engagement therewith substantially as described. n

l2. In a muzzle attachment for an automatic gun having a reciprocating barrel; the combination with the barrel, of a concave or dished disk detachably connected there- "with, a stationary front disk having an aperture co-axial with the barrel and a,.concentric concave orl dished cavity surrounded by a beveled or chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, a sleeve detachably carrying said front disk and having wide radial openings therein separated by narrow triangular bars,4 interrupted screw threads on the said sleeve, corresponding interrupted screw threads on a non-recoiiing part of the 'gun for engagement therewith, and stop pieces on the interrupted portions of said nonrecoiling part substantially as described.

13. In a muzzle 'attachment for an Aautomatic gun .having 1 reciprocating barrel, the combination with the barrel, of a Water jacket surrounding saidbarrel, a stuiing box land gland in the front cap of said water jacket in which said barrel reciprocates, a concave or dished disk detach- 'ably connected with the barrel, a stationary fronxtvdisk -having an aperture co-axialiwith the barrel and a concentric concave or dished cavity surroundedby a beveled or' chamfered peripheral portion on its active face, a sleeve ldetachablyv carrying said front disk and having wide radial:

openings therein separated by narrow triangular bars, and means -for dctachably connecting said sleeve with said front cup of the water jacket substantially as described.

-`l`n testimony whereof we have hereunto set ,our hands in pri-sence of two subscribing witnesses this first day of March 1905. i

, ARTHUR Tanrvon DAWSON.

J l JAMES RAMSAY. Witnesss: K

Henny VKING., Euszrncn H. Banken.

lao 

